Will it be run according to codes of conduct of the 21st century -- through a merit-based, open and transparent process? Or will the process go according to the 1940’s shadowy gentleman’s agreement that has ruled previous selections -- an agreement that dictates that the U.S. is entitled to a World Bank president of its own choosing, just because, well, it’s the United States?

Friends of the Earth U.S. is advocating for the former approach. I know, I know, crazy-talk. Why hire a president because of her/his experience, background and accomplishments? Hush-hush plutocratic means are the way to go, right? Wrong!

While it makes no sense from a good governance standpoint to demand that the World Bank president be a U.S. citizen, one of the specific individuals who the Obama administration is rumored to be floating for consideration -- Larry Summers -- is a cause for concern in its own right. Let’s hope that these rumors swirling around his candidacy aren’t true.

“…shouldn't the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?...I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that…. I've always though that under-populated countries in Africa are vastly UNDER-polluted, their air quality is probably vastly inefficiently low compared to Los Angeles or Mexico City….”